Produce and maintain Genetically Altered (GA) animals in a Home Office designated establishment

This standard covers the use of Genetically Altered (GA) animals in scientific research. It includes the skills and knowledge required to produce and maintain breeding colonies of GA animals in a Home Office designated establishment and perform the associated regulated and non-regulated procedures.

When working with research animals recognise humanity’s obligation to them and your responsibility for ensuring their proper care and treatment at all times.

You will need to understand the different methods of producing GA animals, relevant to your working role.

You will also be familiar with the background reasons and ethical considerations for using GA animals in scientific research, and have an understanding of all aspects of breeding, maintenance, genetic monitoring and cryopreservation of laboratory colonies.

This standard is for licensed animal technologists in Home Office designated establishments.

It is essential that you work strictly within the limits of both your personal licence and the relevant project licence.

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1. confirm that your work is carried out in accordance with the approved codes of practice and the organisation’s procedures and within the limits of your authority, expertise, training, competence and experience
2. carry out all work in accordance with the relevant environmental and health and safety legislation, risk assessment requirements, codes of practice and the organisation’s policies
3. assess the risks to health and safety before starting and throughout the activity
4. comply with legislation, codes of practice and the organisation’s policies relating to the care and welfare of animals in a Home Office designated establishment
5. use safe practices and the correct clothing and personal protective equipment (PPE) for the activity
6. maintain the required levels of hygiene and biosecurity in accordance with the organisation’s procedures
7. maintain communication with colleagues and all those involved in, or affected by, your work
8. produce and maintain a line of GA animals from founder stock or first-generation animals
9. take samples of DNA using the least invasive method appropriate for scientific analysis
10. evaluate and interpret DNA test results
11. check the physical condition of the animals, their readiness for breeding and confirm the animals are prepared in the required manner
12. select the most appropriate method to breed and maintain a colony of GA animals to meet the scientific requirements of a research project, focusing on reduction in animal wastage
13. monitor the colony to identify when GA lines exhibit unique and potentially harmful phenotypes and report this to the relevant people
14. confirm that the health and condition of GA animals is maintained throughout their reproductive cycle by providing care, veterinary-prescribed treatments and any special dietary requirements
15. select suitable accommodation for the breeding animals and offspring and ensure it is correctly prepared
16. identify potential problems, taking action to resolve the issue or escalate in accordance with the organisation’s procedures, documenting and communicating the actions taken, in line with the organisation’s procedures
17. confirm that waste from the activity is dealt with safely and correctly in accordance with legislation and the organisation’s procedures
18. keep accurate and up-to-date records as required by the relevant legislation and the organisation
19. monitor key breeding performance metrics, including production rate and pre-weaning mortality and take the appropriate action when concerns arise
20. conduct all activities within the provisions and standard conditions of your personal licence and the project licence

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1. your responsibilities under the relevant environmental and health and safety legislation, codes of practice and the organisation’s policies
2. your responsibilities for the care and welfare of animals in a Home Office designated establishment under the relevant animal welfare legislation and Home Office codes of practice
3. the reasons for using animals in scientific research and humanity’s responsibilities to them
4. the importance and correct use of personal protective equipment (PPE) when carrying out activities in a Home Office designated establishment
5. the importance of maintaining the appropriate levels of hygiene and biosecurity and the procedures for this
6. the following terminology:
   K6.1 pseudo pregnant
   K6.2 recipient female
   K6.3 donor female
   K6.4 superovulation
   K6.5 founder stock
   K6.6 transgenic
   K6.7 mutagenesis
   K6.8 knock in and knock out
   K6.9 conditional and reporter lines
7. the justification for using GA animals and the role of the Ethical Review Process (AWERB) in cost benefit analysis
8. the principles of the 3Rs, Replacement, Reduction and Refinement, in relation to the production and maintenance of GA animals
9. why it is necessary to genotype progeny and how to evaluate the results
10. the possible reasons why genotyping results may not conform to expected Mendelian ratios
11. breeding animals to include procedures for dealing with animals at birth, weaning and the selection of future breeding stock (FBS) from genotyping results
12. the selection of suitable accommodation for breeding animals and offspring
13. the environmental and husbandry conditions required for breeding animals
14. the importance of effective communication with scientists (internal and external) and colleagues when breeding and/or transporting animals
15. the identification of any environmental concerns and the action to take
16. additional welfare considerations that may be required in breeding and maintaining GA lines
17. reasons for cryopreservation and re-derivation in GA lines
18. how to identify when GA lines exhibit unique and potentially harmful phenotypes and the action that should be taken
19. the requirements of the current legislation relating to the production of GA animals, the relevant licences, codes of practice, humane end points, severity limits and welfare score sheets
20. key breeding performance metrics, including production rate and pre-weaning mortality and the action that should be taken when concerns arise
21. the requirements under the current health and safety and environmental protection legislation for maintaining and disposing of GMO animals, Genetically Modified Organisms (contained uses)
22. the types of problems that may arise, how to respond to resolve the issues, when to escalate and who to contact
23. the provisions and standard conditions of your personal licence and the provisions of the project licence

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3

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2030

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Current

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Original

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Lantra

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LANAT31

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Animal Facility Manager, Licensed Animal Technologist, Team Leader, Senior Animal Technologist

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6129

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animal; research; Genetically Altered; scientific; DNA

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